Device for repairing punch tape



Aug. 25, 1970 J.-SVEC 3,525,657

DE'VUIE FOR REPAIRING PUNCH TAPE Filed Nov. 27, 1967 INVENTOR.

JGPOSIGV S his A fforncy Unitfid States US. Cl. 156-521 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A device for repairing a punch tape card, or the like,at holes thereof which have been erroneously made. A guide guides thepunch tape for longitudinal movement, so that a selected transverse rowof holes which have been incorrectly punched can be situated at aselected location, this transverse row of holes being interruptedbetween its ends by a longitudinally extending row of guide holes of thepunched tape. A punch guide is situated over the tape guide and isformed with an elongated slot extending transversely of the tape andhaving a length and width greater than the greatest possible length andwidth of the incorrect transverse row of holes which is aligned withthis slot. The punch guide has, intermediate the ends of its slot abridge portion extending across the slot and situated over the row ofguide holes of the punch tapes so as to divide the slot into a pair ofelongated openings with which the punch openings of the transverse rowon opposite sides of the longitudinal row of guide holes are aligned. Apair of punches are situated over the punch guide and have aconfiguration matching that of its openings so as to be guided throughthese openings toward the punch tape, and an actuating means coacts withthe punches to advance them along a working stroke through the openingsof the punch guide toward the tape. An adhesive strip is situatedbetween the punches and the punch guide means so that when the actuatingmeans advances the punches along their working stroke the punches willcut from the adhesive strip portions matching the configurations of theholes of the punch guide means, these portions of the adhesive stripbeing advanced by the punches into engagement with the punch tape toadhere to and cover the punch tape at the row of incorrect openingsextending transversely thereof, while leaving the guide holes uncovered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device forrepairing incorrectly punched punch tapes, punch cards or otherinformation carriers.

The repair of an improperly punched punch tape is carried out in generalin such a way that the incorrectly punched portion of the tape is cutout and at this location a punched tape portion having the correctlypunched combination of holes is glued to the punch tape. Another knownrepairing method is carried out in such a way that the incorrectcombination of punched holes is covered by an adhesive strip and theproper combination of holes is then manually punched in the tape. Inrecent times it has been known to provide a guide for the punch tapewith a punch guide situated over the punch tape and formed with a row ofpunch-guiding openings the diameters of which are greater than theopenings punched in the tape itself. Over this latter punch guide issituated a second guide and an adhesive strip is situated between thepair of punch guides. By way of a hand punch an adhesive sheet materialis cut out over the improper punched openings and with a special punchthis is pressed against the punched tape to cover the improper holesthereof.

3,525,657 Patented Aug. 25, 1970 All of these known devices forrepairing improperly punched tapes have the disadvantage of requiring anundesirably large operating time and are not convenient to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of theinvention to provide a device which will avoid the above drawbacks.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a relativelyinexpensive simple device which can be very conveniently operated in anextremely short time in order to carry out the required correction of anerroneously punched tape.

Also it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this typewhich will not damage the tape itself while at the same time beingcapable of reliably repairing the same.

In accordance with the invention, a tape guide means for longitudinallyguiding the punch tape has located thereover a punch guide means forguiding punches toward the tape. The tape guide means guides the tapelongitudinally until an erroneously punched transverse row of holesthereof is aligned with an elongated slot which is formed in the punchguide means, and this slot is interrupted intermediate its ends by abridge portion of the punch guide means which is aligned with alongitudinal row of guide holes of the punch tape so that in this waythe bridge portion of the punch guide means divides the slot of thelatter into elongated openings situated on opposite sides of thelongitudinal row of guide holes of the punch tape. These openings have alength and width greater than the greatest possible length and width ofthe transverse row of punched holes of the tape, and there is situatedover the guide openings a pair of punches which match the configurationof the guide openings so as to be guided thereby during movement towardthe punch tape. An actuating means carried the punches for displacingthe latter along a working stroke through the guide openings toward thetape, and a supply means that supplies a length of adhesive stripbetween the punches and the punch guide means so that when the punchesare advanced toward the tape they w ll cut from the adhesive stripportions which will match the configuration of the openings of the punchguide means to be advanced therethrough into adhering engagement withthe punch tape covering erroneous openings thereof. The punch guidemeans and the actuating means which carries the punches are preferablyin the form of a' pair of levers supported for movement about a commonaxis of a support means, this latter axis extending parallel to thedirection in which the tape is guided by the tape guide means, and theactuating lever which carries the punches also carries a support for aspool of adhesive strip which is guided around a suitable guide rollerto the space between the punches and the punch guide means. A limitingmeans is carried by the punch guide means to limit the working stroke ofthe actuating means so as to prevent the punches from damaging the punchtape itself.

The advantages of the device of the invention reside in the fact thatthe spool of adhesive strip is situated directly on the device itself,thus providing an extremely convenient handling of the device. Also, thecovering of an erroneous transverse row of punch openings is carried outwith a single actuation of the lever which carries the punches, and thepunch guide means need only be provided with a pair of longitudinalpunch guiding openings so that it can be less expensively manufacturedthan in the case of a punchv guide which must be provided with an entirerow of openings.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by wayof example of the accompanying drawings which show one possibleembodiment of a device according to the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of a struc- DESCRIPTION OF APREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, there is showntherein a base plate 1 which fixedly carries a base 2 of the device ofthe invention, and this base 2 in turn carries the tape guide means 3which has an upper surface formed with an elongated, relatively widegroove for receiving and guiding the punch tape 4 so as to guide thelatter for longitudinal movement. This base 2 which carries the tapeguide means 3 also carries at one side of the latter a pair of upwardlydirected support members 5 which form together with a longitudinallyextending pin 6 carried thereby and with the base member 2 a supportmeans for the structure.

This pin 6 which extends between and is carried by the upwardly directedmembers 5, which are fixed to the member 2, supports for turningmovement a punch guide means 7 in the form of a plate which has formedtherein an elongated slot extending transversely of the tape 4. Thepunch guide means 7 is formed between the ends of the slot with a bridgeportion dividing the slot into a pair of elongated openings and 11, andit will be noted from the drawings that this bridge portion is alignedwith the row of guide holes 13 of the punch tape. The length and widthof the slot which is divided into the openings 10 and 11 is greater thanthe greatest possible length and width of any transverse row of openings12 formed in the punch tape 4, so that an erroneous transverse row ofthese openings can be aligned with and rendered accessible through theopenings 10 and 11 while the row of guide openings 13 will be covered bythe bridge portion of the punch guide means. Thus, the openings 12 onone side of the guide openings 13 will be accessible through the opening10 and the holes 12 on the other side of the guide holes 13 will beaccessible through the opening 11 in all cases.

A punch actuating means is formed by a lever 8 which is also supportedfor turning movement by pin 6 of the support means, this lever 8 havinga handle 9 so that the punch actuating means is manually operable. Apair of punches 16 and 17 are fixedly carried by the lever 8 for turningmovement therewith, so that these punches are actuated by the actuatingmeans 8, and the length and configuration of the punches 16 and 17conforms to the length and configuration of the openings 10 and 111 sothat the punches .16 and 17 will be guided in these openings 10 and 11during movement therethrough toward the tape 4. Thus, with thisarrangement it becomes possible to align with the openings 10 and 11 atransverse row of holes 12 which is to be covered, and of course, thepunches 16 and 17 are in precise alignment with the openings 10 and 11to be guided downward therethrough into covering relationship withrespect to the selected transverse row of holes 12. Thus, thelongitudinal axis of the punches 16 and 17 and openings 10 and 11 willbe in a common plane while the transverse axes of the punches 16 and 17and the openings 10 and 11, which extend parallel to the tape 4, willalso become aligned with each other respectively.

A limiting means is provided for limiting the advance of the punches 16and 17 toward the tape 4, and this limiting means takes the form of apair of pins 14 fixed to and extending upwardly from the punch guideplate 7, these pins 14 being stepped at their upper ends so as to haveinner upwardly directed surface portions 15 situated in the path ofdownward movement of the handle portion 9 of the lever 8 so as to engagethe actuating means and limits its downward movement toward the guide 3.

The lever 8 has a pair of side flanges extending up: wardly from theopposed side edge portions thereof, and these flanges carry a pair ofsupports 18 and 19 for a spool 20 of adhesive strip material 21, thisspool being supported for turning movement on a pin which extendsthrough the space between and is carried by the supports 18 and 19. Atits rear end the side flanges of the lever 8 carry a pin on which aguide roller 22 for the adhesive strip 21 is mounted, and the strip 21can issue from the spool 20 around the guide roller 22 and into thespace between the punches 16 and 17, on the one hand, and the punchguide openings 10 and 11, on the other hand.

In order to repair a selected transverse row of holes of a punch tape,the tape is guided in the tape guide means 3 until the selectederroneous transverse row of holes 12 is aligned with the openings 10 and11, as described above. The swingable punch guide means 7 is swung downtoward the punch tape and a length of adhesive strip 21 is unwound fromthe spool 20, the non-adhesive side of the strip 21 engaging the guideroller 22 and being directed upwardly away from the punch guide 7. Whena length of adhesive strip 21 is situated in this space between theopenings 10 and 11, on the one hand, and the punches 16 and 17, on theother hand, the lever 8 is depressed by the operator, who engages thehandle 9 for this purpose, and portions of the adhesive strip 21 whichconform to the configurations of the openings 10 and 11 are cut from thestrip 21 by the punches 16 and 517 and are advanced.

thereby respectively through the openings 10 and 11 downwardly intoengagement with the tape 4 so as to adhere thereto, covering theerroneous transverse row of holes 12. The pressure which can be appliedto the punches 16 and 17 and with which the latter engage the punch tapeitself is limited by engagement of the actuating means with the limitingpins 14 at the surfaces 15 thereof, so that any possible tearing of thetape itself is prevented. After the lever 8 has been turned upwardly toits rest position a new length of adhesive strip 21 can be unwound, andthe punch tape then can be advanced further so that there will becomelocated beneath the openings 10 and 11 of the punch guide means 7 apossible further erroneous transverse row of holes which can again berepaired in the manner described above.

Thus, with the above-described invention it is possible to repair tapeshaving any numbers of longitudinally extending rows of holes 12 whichform transverse rows in the manner described above. Tapes or even punchcards having five or more longitudinally extending rows of informationholes arranged in a selected manner transversely of the tape can berepaired with the structure of the invention as long as any selectedtransverse row of holes has a size small enough to be encompassed by theopenings 10 and 11.

What is claimed is:

1. In a punch tape repairing device, tape guide means for longitudinallyguiding a punch tape which is to be repaired at a transverse row ofincorrect punch holes inter-- rupted by an intermediate longitudinallyextending row of guide holes formed in the tape, punch guide meanssituated over said tape guide means and formed with an elongated slotextending transversely of the tape so that the incorrect transverse rowof punch holes thereof can be aligned with said slot of said punch guidemeans, said punch guide means having a bridge portion extending acrosssaid slot intermediate the ends thereof for covering only saidlongitudinal row of guide holes of the tape and said slot having alength and width greater than the greatest possible length and width ofa transverse row of punch holes of the tape, so that the punch holesthereof on both sides of the row of guide holes will be exposed througha pair of openings of the punch guide means defined by said bridgeportion and the opposed ends of said slot, a pair of punchesrespectively aligned with said openings to be guided through saidopenings of said punch guide means toward said tape, actuating meanscoacting with said punches for displacing the latter through saidopenings toward the tape, and adhesive strip guide means for guiding anadhesive strip between said punches and said punch guide means so thatwhen said punches are actuated by said actuating means said punches willcut from the adhesive strip portions thereof having the configuration ofsaid openings to press said portions against the punch tape over theincorrect openings thereof.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a support means supports saidpunch guide means for movement to and from a guiding position situatednext to said tape guide means.

3. The combination of claim 2 and wherein said support means supportssaid punch guide means for swinging movement toward and away from saidtape guide means about an axis extending parallel to the direction inwhich the punch tape is longitudinally guided by said tape guide means.

4. The combination of claim 2 and wherein said actuating means carriessaid punches and said support means also supporting said actuating meanswith said punches carried thereby for movement along a punching strokewhere said punches are directed through said openings and back along areturn stroke to a rest position where said punches are spaced from saidpunch guide means so that an additional length of adhesive strip canthen be situated between said punches and punch guide means.

5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said support means supportsboth said actuating means and said punch guide means for swingingmovement about a common axis which extends parallel to the direction inwhich said tape guide means guides said punch tape.

6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said actuating means carries asupply means for supplying an adhesive strip to the space between saidpunches and punch guide means.

7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said supply means includes aspool support for supporting a spool of adhesive strip for rotarymovement and a guide roller around which the adhesive strip is guidedfrom the spool to the space between said punches and punch guide means.

8. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a limiting means coacts withsaid actuating means for limiting the advance of the punches throughsaid openings of said punch guide means toward the punch tape to anextent which will provide reliable adherence of the cut portions of theadhesive strip to the punch tape without the possibility of damaging thepunch itself with said punches.

9. The combination of claim 8 and wherein said limiting means is in theform of a pair of limiting pins having stop surfaces which engage saidactuating means to limit the stroke thereof during which said punchesare advanced through said openingsof such punch guide means.

10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein a support means carries saidpunch guide means and actuating means for swinging movement about acommon axis extending parallel to the direction which the punch tape isguided by said tape guide means, said limiting means being carried bysaid punch guide means in the path of movement of the actuating meansand said actuating means being in the form of manually turnable levercarrying said punches.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,903 9/1942 Kennedy 156-261X 2,819,656 1/1958 Patterson 93-1 2,869,748 1/1959 Nerwin et a1 156-514X BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner J. M. HANLEY, AssistantExaminer U. S. Cl. X.R. 15 6-26 1

